If you’ve been hoping for a government job
with the Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) and the Indian Railways, this year
brings a solid opportunity. A short notification has been issued for technical
posts including Junior Engineer (JE), Depot Material Superintendent (DMS) and
Chemical & Metallurgical Assistant (CMA). The online application window
opens on 31 October 2025 and closes on 30 November 2025. Here’s
everything you need to know who’s eligible, how to apply, what the selection
process looks like—and tips on how to make your application count.
What Posts
Are Being Advertised and Key Dates
The recruitment notice for Notification No.
CEN-05/2025 has announced a total of 2,570 vacancies for the combined
posts of JE, DMS and CMA.
- Application
start date: 31 October 2025.
- Last
date to apply: 30 November 2025.
- A
correction window (for mistakes in the form) is typically provided;
candidates should check the detailed notification.
These posts are technical in nature and open to engineering graduates/diploma holders or science grads in some cases. So if you have the appropriate background, this could be your chance.
Who Can
Apply: Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
- For JE
and DMS: You need a B.E./B.Tech or a diploma in a relevant engineering
stream (mechanical, electrical, S&T, civil or Computer Science/IT,
depending on the post).
- For
CMA: Typically a Bachelor’s degree in Science with Physics and Chemistry.
Age Limit
- The
minimum age is 18 years and the maximum age is 33 years (as of 1 January
2026) for general category candidates. Some sources mention up to 36 years
depending on relaxation norms.
- Age
relaxation applies for reserved category candidates as per government
rules.
It’s important you check the detailed notification for any zone-specific or post-specific eligibility, because sometimes branches/streams have slightly different criteria or experience requirements.
Exam
Process: How Selection Works
The selection for this recruitment drive is
multi-stage, meaning you’ll need to clear each phase to move on. The broad
structure is:
- CBT I
(Computer Based Test – Stage I)
100 questions
Duration: 90 minutes
Topics: Mathematics, General Intelligence
& Reasoning, General Science and General Awareness.
Negative marking: 1/3rd mark for every wrong
answer.
- CBT II
(Stage II)
150 questions
Duration: 120 minutes
Topics: Technical subjects (related to your
engineering stream), Physics, Chemistry, Computers, Environment, General
Awareness.
No negative marking (in some cases) or as per
notification.
- Document
Verification (DV)
Candidates who qualify both CBTs will have
their documents verified to confirm educational qualifications, category
status, identity, etc.
- Medical
Examination
Final stage. The selected candidate must meet
medical/fitness standards prescribed for railway service.
The pay scale for these posts (for example JE/DMS/CMA) is at Level-6 of the 7th
CPC pay matrix, with starting salary around ₹ 35,400 per month plus
allowances. Preparation should therefore
cover both general aptitude and stream-specific technical knowledge.
Application
Fee & How to Apply
Application Fee
- For
General/OBC/EWS: ₹ 500 (often part of which may be refundable on appearing
in CBT)
- For
SC/ST/Female/PwBD/EWS (depending on notification): Lower fee or exemption
in many cases. You should check the exact category-wise fee in the
notification.
How to Apply (Step-by-Step)
- Visit
the official site: rrbapply.gov.in (or the appropriate RRB
regional portal)
- Click
on “Apply Online” and choose “New Registration” if you’re a first-time
applicant.
- Fill
in the required details: name, date of birth, email, mobile number,
educational qualifications, category, etc.
- Upload
scanned copies of your photograph, signature and any required documents as
per specifications.
- Pay
the application fee (through debit card/credit card/net-banking).
- Review
the filled form carefully (make sure all details are correct) before final
submission.
- After
submission, keep a printout of the filled form or at least a screenshot
for your records.
Correction Window
After the application closes, the RRB usually opens a “correction window” where you can fix certain errors (subject to guidelines). Candidates should look out for the exact dates in the notification. The correction window helps avoid major mistakes.
Salary
& Benefits
For these technical posts under RRB:
- Starting
salary: ~₹ 35,400 per month for Level-6 posts.
- On top
of basic pay, selected candidates will receive benefits like Dearness
Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), Travel Allowance (TA), medical
facilities, pension (for post-retirement) and other perks as per Indian
Railways norms.
- Railways
jobs also carry added advantages such as job security, opportunities for
growth, transfers across zones, and central-government status. For many
young candidates, this makes it a very attractive career path.
Why This
Opportunity Matters
- Technical
cadres in the Indian Railways are crucial: JEs, DMS and CMAs work across
engineering, maintenance, material management and metallurgy – essential
to keep India’s vast rail network functioning.
- With a
drive of 2,570 vacancies in this recruitment cycle, it’s a significant
intake for 2025 (and hence recent).
- For
engineering/diploma‐qualified youth, this provides an excellent entry into
a central government job without needing prior experience.
- The
structure of selection (CBT stage, DV, medical exam) allows candidates to
focus their preparation earlier and plan accordingly.
- A
stable salary, benefits and growth prospects make this role appealing,
especially in these times when government jobs are highly competitive.
Tips to
Maximize Your Chances
- Start
preparation early: Focus on general ability (Maths,
Reasoning, General Science) for CBT I and stream-specific technical
subjects for CBT II.
- Download
and study the syllabus: Make sure you understand what topics
will be covered in each stage, and allocate study time accordingly. Many
of the sources mention the same.
- Mock
tests & previous papers: Practice with sample papers/previous
year questions for CBT format and timing discipline.
- Check
eligibility and documents before applying: Ensure you meet
educational, age, category and other norms. Documents such as your
engineering diploma/degree, caste certificate (if applicable), ID proof
and photograph should be ready.
- Apply
early: Don’t wait until the last moment.
Technical glitches, payment issues or slow internet can cause problems
near deadlines.
- Double-check
your form: Mistakes can cause rejection, while the
correction window may allow edits it is better to submit accurate
information initially.
- Keep
an eye on updates: The RRB may announce exam-centres,
admit cards, exam dates or changes. Regularly check the official website
and your registered email/phone for alerts.
Things to
Note / Common Pitfalls
- Make
sure you apply only through official portals (rrbapply.gov.in or regional
RRB websites). Beware of unofficial websites charging extra or promising
shortcuts.
- Age-limit/start
date: Ensure the date for calculation of age (often 1 January 2026) is
checked in the notification. Age relaxation for reserved categories is
given, but you must claim it correctly.
- The
selection process may have negative marking in CBT I – so accuracy matters
more than attempting all questions.
- Uploading
of wrong/incomplete documents or not meeting size/format requirements can
lead to rejection of your application or being shortlisted.
- Reservation
and category-based benefits: Ensure you submit valid supporting
certificates (SC/ST/OBC/PwBD) if you claim them. Any mismatch can lead to
disqualification.
- Medical
fitness: Meeting the medical norms is obligatory at final stage. Some
candidates clear CBTs but fail on medical – so maintain good physical and
health standards.
Final Word
If you are an engineer, diploma holder or
science graduate aiming for a stable central-government job this year, the RRB
JE/DMS/CMA recruitment 2025 is a strong opportunity. With applications from 31
October to 30 November and an attractive monthly salary of about ₹ 35,400 plus
benefits, the stakes are high and so is the competition.
By knowing the eligibility criteria, selection
process, how to apply, and by preparing earnestly you can maximize your
chances. Make sure your documents are ready, read the notification carefully,
practice for the tests, submit your application early and keep track of
updates.
Your path to working with Indian Railways
could begin here so take this step seriously, prepare smartly, and aim for
success!
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